The Meaning of Exodus 40:2 Explained

Exodus 40:2

KJV: On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

YLT: 'On the first day of the month, in the first month, thou dost raise up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting,

Darby: On the day of the first month, on the first of the month, shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

ASV: On the first day of the first month shalt thou rear up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

On the first  day  of the first  month  shalt thou set up  the tabernacle  of the tent  of the congregation. 

What does Exodus 40:2 Mean?

Study Notes

first month
i.e. April.

Context Summary

Exodus 40:1-16 - Directions For Erecting The Tabernacle
On the new year's day of the second year of the exodus Moses was bidden to rear up the Tabernacle, and with his own hand to place each article in its specified position. With what joy must those commands have fallen on His ears! We are reminded of the words of Robert Moffat, when he was completing the translation of the entire Bible into the language of the Botswana: "When I had finished the last verse I could hardly believe that I was in the world. My emotions found vent by my falling on my knees and thanking God for His grace and goodness in giving me strength to accomplish my task." Under similar circumstances Dr. Paton says that he pitched his bat into the air and danced round and round his printing-press. Let us build our life, piece by piece, in the same spirit-not with wood, hay and stubble, but with gold, silver and precious stones-so that at the close we may be able to say, "I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do." [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 40

1  The tabernacle is commanded to be reared, anointed, and consecrated
13  Aaron and his sons to be sanctified
16  Moses performs all things accordingly
34  A cloud covers the tabernacle

What do the individual words in Exodus 40:2 mean?

On the day of month the first first month you shall set up - the tabernacle of the tent of meeting
בְּיוֹם־ הַחֹ֥דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁ֖וֹן בְּאֶחָ֣ד לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ תָּקִ֕ים אֶת־ מִשְׁכַּ֖ן אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד

בְּיוֹם־  On  the  day 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
הַחֹ֥דֶשׁ  of  month 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֹדֶשׁ  
Sense: the new moon, month, monthly.
הָרִאשׁ֖וֹן  the  first 
Parse: Article, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רִאשֹׁון  
Sense: first, primary, former.
בְּאֶחָ֣ד  first 
Parse: Preposition-b, Number, masculine singular
Root: אֶחָד  
Sense: one (number).
לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ  month 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֹדֶשׁ  
Sense: the new moon, month, monthly.
תָּקִ֕ים  you  shall  set  up 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: קוּם 
Sense: to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
מִשְׁכַּ֖ן  the  tabernacle 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מִשְׁכָּן  
Sense: dwelling place, tabernacle.
אֹ֥הֶל  of  the  tent 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: אֹהֶל  
Sense: tent.
מוֹעֵֽד  of  meeting 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֹועֵד  
Sense: appointed place, appointed time, meeting.